Anatoly (George) Gunitsky, co-founder of the legendary band “Aquarium,” shared his views on a range of topics, from the St. Petersburg gubernatorial elections to the state of rock music, in a 2003 interview. The conversation, published in “Your Secret Advisor” newspaper and now reprinted by Fontanka, reveals Gunitsky’s perspectives on the intersection of art and politics, the use of profanity in music, and the legacy of rock and roll.
Gunitsky expressed skepticism about the involvement of artists in politics, stating that musicians like Sergei Shnurov, Boris Grebenshchikov (BG), and Yuri Shevchuk are better suited to artistic endeavors than political positions. He viewed the idea of rock musicians in responsible roles as a “mockery of the people.”
Regarding the use of profanity in music, Gunitsky acknowledged that it can be appropriate in certain contexts. While admitting he is not very familiar with Shnur’s work, he mentioned that “Aquarium” also sparingly used curse words in their early recordings. He also echoed Shevchuk’s disapproval of mainstream pop music, describing it as “disgusting” and mind-dulling, although he differentiated it from the “pop music” of bands such as The Beatles. He stressed that there is nothing wrong with pop music in principle, it is just not very interesting to him.
When questioned about chanson and domestic radio stations, Gunitsky expressed a lack of interest, viewing the popularity of “criminal song” as evidence of societal decline. He also recounted attending a reception for Paul McCartney in St. Petersburg, deciding against actively seeking interaction with the music icon.
Reflecting on the rock scene, Gunitsky lamented the transformation of rock festivals into short, uninspired performances. He fondly remembered the sincerity and drive of past rock club festivals. He expressed sadness about the terrorist act at the “Wings” festival, which led to the cancellation of other events. Gunitsky acknowledged his role in selecting bands for festivals in the past, admitting that personal preferences may have influenced his decisions.
Looking back, Gunitsky recalled writing his first play at the age of six and acknowledged his limited musical abilities. He mentioned the rediscovery of “The Temptations of St. Aquarium,” an early album featuring his vocal contributions.
Gunitsky shared his long-standing friendship and creative collaboration with Boris Grebenshchikov, noting that BG had set about four dozen of his poems to music. He described their collaborative process as spontaneous and highlighted the unique, often incomprehensible nature of his poetry.
Concluding the interview, Gunitsky offered a piece of advice, urging people to “live simpler” and reduce the “speed of madness” in their lives.